Within the next 25 years, the gap between the supply of workersand the demand in the United States will grow to 35 million,according to a recent seminar presented by Deloitte ToucheTohmatsu. This means that the war for talent is just beginning, thefinancial service consulting firm warned.

As early as 2010, as baby-boomers approach retirement, therewill be an estimated shortfall of 10 million U.S. workers. At thesame time, the 35-44 age group will see a decline in its laborforce presence, while the over-55 age group will increase. By thecentury's mid-point, a 47 percent shrinkage in the working-agepopulation is predicted.

The insurance industry will not remain immune to these symptomsof an aging work force. Deloitte predicts that recruiting collegegraduates and other new talent into the industry will becomeincreasingly difficult. “There is a declining pool of well trainedworkers,” Deloitte noted. “There is a large number of underwritersand claim adjusters that will need to be recruited in order to meetfuture employment requirements.”